Landscape Structures Maintenance LHAP 303

Slide 1 Landscape Structures Maintenance Slide 2 Retaining Wall Maintenance Heavy rains can cause some discoloration Cleaning products available Use a bristle brush to scrub stained areas Start with nylon Move to steel if the area has major staining Test on a small surface Cleaning & Sealing a Retaining Walls Moss growth in the stone crevices Pressure washing Fill in eroded areas from water runoff and snowmelt Depressions can lead to pooling Erodes stone faster Slide 3 Retaining walls should be inspected regularly Look for cracks or gaps Patch ASAP to prevent from getting worse over time Look for bulges where the soil is shifting May need some intense repairing If you have any drainage pipes Inspect regularly and remove debris to ensure there are no clogs in your weeping tile Use plants to keep the soil compact and sturdy Fill in dead spots Roots help hold the soil in place and reduce erosion Mulch areas of the soil surface to reduce runoff Slide 4 Paver Maintenance Regular wear overtime Top up with fresh sand if needed Soil and weeds fill in the cracks between pavers Moss growth can be unsightly and get out of control Slide 5 Slide 6 Slide 7 Slide 8 Prevent damage Cracking & shifting Cleaning, sealing & weed control are the main ones! Use polymeric sand Hardens when moistened Holds pavers in place and prevents weeds from growing in the first place Ensure all sand excess sand is off before spraying Regular sweeping Debris and dirt from on top and in between pavers Brick Paver Maintenance Slide 9 Spray pavers with a hose Wash away grime on a regular basis (couple times a year, or when needed) Avoid spraying right into the joints particularly if you use regular sand Use a shop vac to get into the difficult to reach areas Scrub away stains Use a mild detergent and a wire brush to remove stains Rinse soap away afterwards Seal the pavers every couple of years (??) Use a sealant designed for pavers and apply evenly Slide 10 Slide 11 Natural Stone Maintenance Power washers, rugged brooms and wire brushes are not recommended for cleaning natural stone. Basics of cleaning exterior stone include: Sweeping Dusting Wiping Never let dirt, debris, or liquid spills sit & accumulate If exposed to rain let it dry naturally Slide 12 Sweep in a horizontal or vertical motion Finish sweeping in the opposite direction Use only a natural-stone cleaner Should be cleaned with a specially formulated granite outdoor stone cleaner Muriatic Acid Muriatic Acid Patio Cleaning Protect exterior stone with a sealant Thoroughly clean surface before applying granite sealer Apply when water spotting is noticed, puddles leaving dark spots Slide 13 Remove mold & mildew Reduce mold & mildew by keeping surface clean (dirt and debris) Use a 50/50 solution of bleach & water (test spot) For mold removal Can use a gentle pad or nylon brush to scrub away mold Seal after removing mold buildup Slide 14 Poured Concrete Maintenance Regular cleaning of concrete can be by: Regular sweeping of debris Remove loose dirt, grime and leaves Wash down with a regular hose to do basic cleaning Pressure wash with a mild detergent for a deep clean Avoid harsh chemical cleaners A leaf blower can give some extra assistance during spring & fall cleanup Good to use soon after a winter storm to avoid ice buildup and reduce the use of salts How to Remove Oil Stains from & Concrete Driveway Slide 15 To lift grease spots Use a alkaline degreaser to remove oil Use with hot water Oxalic acid to lift rust stains Slide 16 Slide 17 For stamped concrete: Important to remove dirt, leaves and other debris that might scratch the surface A broom, leaf blower or garden hose weekly to remove debris Reseal every 2-3 years Protect the color and sheen of stamped concrete Helps block out penetrating dirt, dust & stains Protects against wear and abrasion Slide 18 For high wear areas another option is to use a floor polish or wax For extra protection Polish must be formulated for stamped concrete Avoid de-icing salts & chemicals Dulls and cracks stamped surface over time Slide 19 Wood Structure Maintenance Mold & algae keep moisture in your deck This is not good for the wood as it keeps moisture in Damages the wood For decks it causes an extremely slippery surface which can be hazardous Slide 20 Fences & decks are subject to the damaging effects of weather Maintenance is critical to prevent discoloration caused by: Dirt, moss, algae It doesn’t take long before you have a dinghy deck with splinters and a treacherous surface Slide 21 Slide 22 Maintaining wood fences Signs your wood fence needs maintenance: Water no longer beads up when soaked (about every 2 - 5 years) Apply a wood or fence cleaner Coat the entire fence Apply between boards as well Let sit for 20 mins (soak time will depend on the product used) Pressure wash off cleaner - Let fence dry for 24 hrs before applying a stain or sealant Restain with a roller or brush Slide 23 Slide 24 How to maintain a wood deck: Remove loose paint or deck stain with a scraper Scrape down to bare wood Sand down scraped areas or entire deck with a light sanding All edges must be smooth and even Use a stiff bristle brush after to remove any flaking stain or dirt Apply deck cleaner with a stiff deck brush This is an important step to ensure quality staining Pressure wash deck surface thoroughly to remove cleaning solution Try to use a lower power setting or fan spray nozzle Wood can be damaged with a high direct pressure spraying Slide 25 Slide 26 A deck can be stained with a couple different choices of tools Pump sprayer Paint brush Paint roller Or combination Choose a good quality stain and Some options for stains are clear, semi-transparent and solid Slide 27 Apply two coats on the same day Choose good weather for staining Use the same stain for both coats (style & manufacturer) Maintain consistency, aesthetics & protection Use a clean brush Clean well or wrap brush after first application Want a smooth finish Blot excess stain Use a soft cloth to blot pools of stain Tips for staining: How to apply stain Wood must be completely dry 15-25 C for fast drying Humidity below 80% Avoid direct sunlight Slide 28 Pressure Washer Basics Read the owner's manual Always use pressure washer for its intended purpose Always wear appropriate PPE Safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, closed-toe shoes and cover your arms & legs Use the appropriate spray tip (also called pressure washer nozzle) The lighter the tip color the wider the nozzle tip Check the pressure rating for what you are cleaning (PSI) Lower PSI for light duty (1600) and high PSI (3600) for more heavy duty tasks How to use A Gas Pressure Washer How to use a pressure washer Flat Surface Cleaner Slide 29 Slide 30 Selecting the Right Nozzle for the Job Start with a wider angle nozzle Start 4 ft away from a surface when first using or changing to a different nozzle Always test on a small area of the surface you intend to pressure wash Replacing o-ring for a pressure hose Quick Connect to switch out nozzles ⅜” Female Quick Connect Coupler Ensure compatible with pressure washers 4000-PSI Slide 31 Slide 32 Slide 33 Slide 34